Latching device



.Oct-14, 1941- HQA. KNAUFF 2,258,617

LATCHING DEVICE Filed OCt, 2l, 1939 20/ INVENTOR Patented Oct. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES, PATENTeoFrioE i A2,258,617 LATCHING DEVICE Harry Knaui, Eittsburgh, Ta. Application October 21, 1939, Serial No. 300,645

` y 1 Claim.

This invention relates itolatching devices, and more particularly, to devicescapa'ble-of maintaining apair of members in more than one locked relationship. 1 i

'Ihe present invention is particularly useful for latching kor locking window sash members 1in, a I

closed yas -Well as ina partially open relationship, although it may beusedinany suitable associ-ation. 'Y

Previous to the present invention, no one to my knowledge has -been able toprovide a foolproo-i latching yand keeper' combination that will maintain a pair of windowsash rails in various partiallyopen relationshipsfwhile atthe same time lock-ing them in van effective mannerirom Vthe standpoint of sneak-thieves.

It has been an object of Amy invention to pro- -vide a new and improved form of 'latching farrangement that will `resist theA efforts of sneak thieves. y

I Another object has Lbeen toprovidean improved `form of latching keeper 'havingmore than Aone portion for receivingr a llatchingelement and in which such portions are preferably located in progression in a'plane corresponding to the plane of movement of the window sash rails.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, the unlocked position -of fthe device is represented -by the letter A, Asee the dottedline indications, and the eX- treme Alockedposition ib-ythe 'letter B. The housing I3 of the'device, rasshown in Figure 2, is provided Lwith an upwardly-#inclined vertically-extending, arcuate-shaped Wall' portion b, a base portion a, and .a top wall portion lc, having an inwardly :and :downwardly-depending ybearing portion A latch'element I9 Aisoperably positioned between .the bearing portion d land the bottom v portion a in such a .manner that it'fcan only be A further object has been to provide a latching arrangement that can be readily operated by the householder and that will hold a pair of members such as window sash rails in a number of different open but locked positions.

These and many other objectsof my invention will `appear to those lskilled in the art from the following description, the drawing, and the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view through a window assembly having associated therewith an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectiontaken along the lines lI-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is *a front view in elevation of a keeper device constructed in accordance with my invention taken along the line III-III of Figure 2;

Figures 4, 5, and 6 are views somewhat similar to Figures 3, 2, and 1, respectively, but showing a modified form of keeper.

In the embodiment of my invention selected for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a pair of inner Iand outer sash rail members I0 and I2, respectively, having suitable window panes I I. A latching device is mounted on the rail I2 by means of outwardly-projecting fastening feet or lugs I4 and suitable attaching means, such as screws 22.

removed through `the side opening within which it operates. An operating.' :arm let is provided withxan annulus-.like bearing portion adapted to be vcooperatively fmounted inbearing portion d .of thehousi-ng.` The arm ISfisl-alsoprovided with a key, Wrench Iiat,rorstud=portion AI8 that -flts within and receives the latching elementdr.- It -will be noted that the .arrangementean be disfsembled by raising .the `arm .I5 upwardly, |as indicated by the dotted .lines of Figure A2.

Asshown in Figure Lthejarcuate wall portion b of [the latching housing'preierably, gradually increases in radius fromjthejpivot point of the arm I5 in a counter-clockwise direction, namely, from B to A. In this manner, a cam-like face is provided for increasing the holding action of the latching device. A thumb screw I 'l is operably and adjustably mounted within a downwardlydepending land outwardly-extending offset-mount or lug portion I6 of the latch arm I5. It will appear that the inner end of the thumb screw or auxiliary latching device I'I will progressively increase its holding or wedging action as it moves from left to right (of Figure 1) along the portions of increased radius of the wall b (of the housing I3). As shown in Figure l, I have provided an inwardly oiiset or depressed portion e in the wall b to receive the end of the nut I1 beyond the unlocked position A. In this manner, the latch may be secured in an unlocked position if so desired.

The keeper device 20 comprises a housing ,or body portion having a pair of oppositely-extending mounting flanges 2I suitably secured to the face of the Window rail Il] by means such as screws 22. The body or housing portion 23 of the keeper extends vertically-upwardly in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of projection of the member upon which it is mounted and that is to be locked, or in other words, extends in the direction of movement of the sash members. The housing is provided with two or more progressively-located and spaced-apart latching portions or openings 24 having inclined top edges substantially corresponding to the inclination of the top edges of the latch element I 9 when it is in its fully locked relationship, see Figure 3. A lug 25 extends downwardly to cooperatively engage and latch with the latch element I9. The construction is preferably such that the combination will not unlock until the arm I5 is moved to practically a full 180 turn, as indicated from the position B to the position A.

The extreme 'locked position of the latch element I9 is controlled by a stop portion Drojecting inwardly, as shown in Figure 1, from the inner side Wall portions of the housing I3. The holes for the mounting screws 22 are preferably staggered as shown to increase the holding action and strength of the assembly. The parts may be of metal, plastic or any other suitable material and may be cast, stamped, or formed in any other suitable manner.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figures 4 to 6, the back portions of the latch element 20 are closed off and rounded; this provides a substantially dust-proof, thief-proof, and easily cleaned structure. The arrangement prevents tampering from the back of the keeper and provides Va rigid structure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the location of the latching portions 24 can be suitably interpositioned and spaced to provide any desired locked relationship of the two sash members I0 and I2. It will also appear that a sneak-thief will encounter great diculty in attempting to unlock the arrangement even when the windows i l Although for the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown certain preferred arrangements, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other suitable arrangements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claim.

I claim:

In a fastening device adapted to be mounted on a pair of members to lock them in one of a plurality of alternate positions with respect to each other, a latch having a latch element and having a pair of oppositely-extending lateral anges for mounting it on one of the pair of members, a keeper having a longitudinally-extending body portion and a pair of laterallyextending anges for mounting it on the other member, said body portion having a planar side portion facing in the direction of the latch, said planar side portion extending from said mounting flanges of said keeper and providing a longitudinal side of the body portion of said keeper, said body portion having at least a pair of latchreceiving openings located in progression along said planar side portion, an upper opening of said pair being bounded on two of its sides in the direction of said longitudinal body portion and on its top and bottom sides by continuous portions of said keeper, a lower opening being bounded on at least two of its sides in the direction of said longitudinal body portion and on its top side by continuous portions of said keeper, the top sides of both openings having an inclined face portion and a depending locking lug, the bottom side of the upper opening being substantially on a lateral plane, so that the latch element of said latch can be securely held within the upper opening by continuous portions of said keeper in such a manner as to prevent an up or down movement of said latch element within said opening land such that the latch element can be securely held Within the other opening of said pair.

HARRYV A. KNAUFF. 

